Defense Alert: Saudi Arabia fields first THAAD missile defense units with U.S. trained crews as Gulf tensions rise.

According to information published by Saudi Arabia Ministry of Defense on August 24, 2025, the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces have completed the graduation of their third class of THAAD anti-ballistic missile operators following specialized training at the US Army’s Fort Bliss base in Texas. This milestone strengthens the Saudi military’s ability to independently operate one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world and comes at a moment of heightened urgency in Washington to accelerate Gulf air and missile defense capabilities, as Iran’s expanding arsenal of ballistic missiles and drones continues to pose a direct threat to military assets and strategic infrastructure across the region.
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The US-built THAAD system intercepts short to intermediate-range ballistic missiles at altitudes above 150 km and ranges up to 200 km, providing Saudi Arabia with advanced exo-atmospheric defense against high-speed missile threats (Picture source: Saudi Arabia Ministry of Defense).

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is designed to intercept short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase of flight. A single battery typically consists of six to nine launchers, each equipped with eight interceptors, a powerful AN/TPY-2 X-band radar, and a fire control system. Unlike Patriot systems, which are optimized for lower-altitude and shorter-range threats, THAAD provides exo-atmospheric interception capability at ranges of up to 200 kilometers and altitudes exceeding 150 kilometers. This allows it to neutralize more advanced missile threats, including those equipped with separating warheads or decoys. The system’s high hit-to-kill probability makes it a cornerstone of US and allied missile defense architecture.

The system complements the lower-altitude capabilities of the Patriot PAC-3 systems already operated by Saudi Arabia, providing an additional exo-atmospheric interception layer. No offset agreements were identified at the time of the sale. The Pentagon noted that the transaction would not alter the regional military balance.

The training of Saudi operators is both part of the original Foreign Military Sales package approved by Washington and a demonstration of the deepening bilateral defense partnership. The United States has long sought to shift Gulf allies from being passive buyers of advanced weapons to active operators capable of maintaining, deploying, and integrating these systems into regional defense networks. By training Saudi personnel directly at Fort Bliss under the supervision of the US Army’s 32nd Air and Missile Defense Command, Washington is ensuring knowledge transfer, system proficiency, and long-term sustainability of the Saudi THAAD force. This cooperation is not only about hardware delivery but also about embedding Saudi Arabia into a broader regional missile defense framework that the Pentagon hopes to consolidate across Gulf Cooperation Council states.

The geopolitical context adds weight to this development. Saudi Arabia faces growing security challenges from Iran’s expanding missile and drone programs, which have been employed by Tehran and its regional proxies in Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon. Attacks against Saudi oil facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais in 2019 demonstrated the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure, while Iran’s willingness to directly target US and allied bases in the Gulf marks a dangerous escalation. For Riyadh, acquiring and mastering THAAD is not only about defending its skies but also about signaling strategic resilience and deterrence in a region where the balance of power remains volatile.

The recent delivery of Saudi Arabia’s first THAAD battery in July 2025 represents the operational start of an eight-year procurement journey since the $15 billion deal for 44 launchers was first approved by the US State Department in 2017. The inclusion of operator training at Fort Bliss confirms that this program was conceived from the outset as a complete package, combining hardware acquisition with personnel development. However, beyond the sales framework, Washington is increasingly leveraging this training to foster deeper defense interoperability with Riyadh, as the United States gradually shifts from a posture of direct military presence to one of scalable partnership and burden-sharing with regional allies.

In parallel with the system’s operational integration and localization, Saudi Arabia continues to expand its broader defense procurement portfolio from the United States. In May 2025, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Saudi Arabia in a deal valued at $3.5 billion. In March, Washington cleared the sale of up to 2,000 APKWS II laser-guided munitions for $100 million. These acquisitions are part of a continuing pattern of high-value arms purchases by Riyadh, many of which date back to the $110 billion defense agreement signed during the first term of President Donald Trump. The Kingdom has historically pursued a dual-track strategy, combining large-scale foreign arms imports with incremental steps toward domestic production through partnerships and joint ventures. The localization of THAAD components is now part of a broader trend involving precision munitions, armored vehicles, and missile systems.